Our money was back by silver to begin with. You could demand a silver dollar in trade for your silver certificate. And my understanding they then had to destroy the certificate. Our money is no longer backed by silver.
yes, history is so interesting -- my daddy used to collect coins and once in a while he would sit with us children and bring his coins out--- a smell you would learn to accompany w/ excitement as he would tell us about each coin. lol. so much fun!!